Progressive Blurry at Distance

by Avign0n19
(Colorado)

Q: Progressive blurry at distance, and Dr. says he cannot fix?

I had gastric bypass and lost 150 lbs, and my vision drastically changed, so I needed to get new glasses, but, the change was affecting my near vision, not far (I have worn progressives, normally Varilux Physic for over 15 years).

I was checked, there was some change (a LOT in my right eye), and I was told I had beginning cataracts (I'm 63) but not near bad enough to operate. Due to the cataract, my right eye cannot be made as clear as the left, but, it does see 20-20, as does my left (which is razor sharp).

When I got the glasses, I saw perfect in the office, but, when driving away I realized I couldn't read street signs and things were blurry at 50 ft and beyond.

Went back and they verified my lens were set correctly to my eyes, so, they thought the lenses were made wrong, and sent them back to be redone.

The redone glasses are the same. Even moving my glasses up or down or tilting them doesn't make distance sharp, but, near is crystal clear.

The Dr. won't see me any more, and says all he can do is give me the old prescription (which...seems really stupid).

My thought, being a layman, is that while they directly measure my eyes at 20 ft in the office, they have to calculate the prescription for nearer and father than that--I assume it's like a standard addition or subtraction. If my distance is blurry, seems the "standard" calculation doesn't work for me, so...

WHY can't they just modify the distance prescription for the progressives, so that it's sharp, yet STILL

maintain it being sharp for near items?

Thanks.!

A: Hello.

Well, there is more than one problem in this situation.

First is your cataract, which is an issue for your vision, and the only real solution is the operation, the lens exchange. There is no such thing as " not bad enough to operate". With the phacoemulsification procedure, the cataract can be operated at any moment, sooner, the best.

The other problem with the cataract is that even if your central vision does not suffer changes, the peripheral vision is affected, you will see circles and have blurry vision, and this will go on more and more bad until you solve the problem.

The other thing is that the lens in your eye will suffer diopter changes continuously, and your glasses will need permanent adjustments, maybe every six months. This is the reason I do not prescribe progressive eyeglasses to people with cataract. You will never be happy with your glasses until you operate the cataract.

The second issue.You are right, there is a standard calculation to prescribe the near vision glasses, but I think is more important to adapt the prescription to each person.

I do not use this; I prescribe what is good and comfortable for the patient, no standard. In the end, is the patient decision, I cannot force something that is no good.

My advice is:Don't spend anymore money on expensive glasses, use that money to operate your cataract and then make glasses and you will see the difference.

If you do not want to operate your eyes, make only mono focal eyeglasses with a wider focus point, and this will help you until you do the surgery.